The Raiders could face discipline from the NFL if the league finds they broke coronavirus protocol in the wake of Monday night’s win over the Saints.
The NFL is investigating whether an unauthorized team employee entered the Raiders locker room after the game at their new Las Vegas home, Allegiant Stadium, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The report cited league sources but did not reveal the identity of the employee in question.
Only 40 employees of each team are allowed to go into the locker rooms under protocols established by the NFL intended to decrease the potential for coronavirus outbreaks.
Schefter reports the league suspects there is “evidence that a non-credentialed person eluded the security checkpoints” before entering the locker room at the Raiders’ new $1.8 billion desert home.
The Raiders have not confirmed whether they are aware of an investigation. This news organization reached out to the team for comment Sunday morning.
The investigation comes less than a week after the league handed down significant fines to head coach Jon Gruden and the Raiders organization for Gruden’s failure to properly wear his face mask over his mouth and nose throughout the Monday Night Football game.
Gruden was fined $100,000 and the Raiders were hit with a $250,000 fine — both figures matched by four other teams across the league for similar violations, including the 49ers. All five coaches have reportedly appealed the fines.
Gruden defended his mask adherence by saying he already had the coronavirus back in July, and he was doing his best to wear it knowing the virus was serious.
